Marion residents ask for more transparency from police

MARION, AR (WMC) - Residents of Marion, Arkansas, are demanding answers from local leaders after they said city leaders have not been transparent enough about crime and overall public affairs.

Several residents who spoke out at Tuesday's city council meeting said they just want to know what's happening in their community and they said they haven't been getting answers.

The city council meeting was packed with people wanting information about recent incidents.

There is growing frustration by residents who want to know what happened regarding a Marion police officer who is under criminal investigation by the Arkansas State Police.

Marion Police Chief Gary Kelley confirmed that the department started an internal investigation after they were made aware of an incident involving an officer--but officials would not give any details.

Smollett reported being beaten up by two men who shouted racist and anti-gay slurs and threw bleach on him. But his story fell apart when actors Smollett knew from the "Empire" set and the gym told police that Smollett paid them $3,500 to stage the attack.